Zen Living For Idiots December 30, 2011

PAY ATTENTION!

That’s really what Zen Living boils down to ~ being mindful of what you’re thinking, feeling, and doing as you move from moment to moment.

Pay attention to the thoughts you think . . . but realize that YOU are not your thoughts.

You are the observer of those thoughts.

Pay attention to the emotions you feel . . . but realize that YOU are not your emotions.

You are the observer of those emotions.

Pay attention to what you are doing in THIS moment.

NOW is all that matters.

The world is full of amazing sights, sounds, aromas, tastes, and textures. We miss them if we don’t keep our eyes, ears, mind, and heart OPEN.

Zen living means living fully in the present moment:

Zen is not about obliterating your thoughts, your feelings, your personality, or any other aspect of you. On the contrary. Zen helps you to unclutter you so you can think more easily, see more clearly, understand more readily, and know yourself more intimately. [p.5]

Zen is like cleaning out your attic and dropping off all the stuff you don’t need ~ your worries, fears, opinions, preconceptions, attachments ~ at the recycling bin. Because you really don’t need them. [p.5]

As we cultivate mindful awareness, we begin to view the world with alert curiosity, rather than through the distorted lens of stale judgments, attitudes, and opinions. We start to see things as THEY are rather than as WE are.

When we remain conscious of this moment, rather than wandering hither and yon and getting “lost in thought,” we feel more energetic and enthusiastic about whatever we are doing . . . even if we are chopping wood or carrying water. _/!\_

Our minds are like toddlers . . . easily distracted and not-to-be trusted with important life decisions, for example, whether to get angry at someone who looks at us funny. STOP LOOKING AT ME!

Learning to slow down our thoughts so that we really see what is in front of us is like turning that toddler into a sleek computer that we TURN ON when we need left analytical brain functions and TURN OFF when we want to enjoy the sunrise, a piece of music, art, or . . . CHOCOLATE.

Interesting post, Nancy. I think I have a quirk in my brain insofar as I seem to simultaneously notice everything around me (notice not appreciate) while my brain is still racing ahead to the next problem/job/responsibility/need etc – any zen cures for that? Seriously?

Yes. Pay Attention. To ONE thing at a time. Learn to observe a rose without commentary or comment. Smell a lemon and focus ONLY on its scent. Touch a piece of fabric or notice its color . . . without worrying about what’s for dinner.

Keep bringing yourself back to the task of being mindful and paying attention and soon your mind will stop acting like a toddler, pulling and tugging on your arm to get your attention, and will sit quietly waiting for YOU to direct its actions.

When we stop identifying ourselves AS our thoughts . . . we don’t grow angry merely because an angry thought popped into view: (OMG, that jerk just cut me off). Instead, we mindfully choose which thoughts to hang on to . . . and which thoughts to ignore. Oh, well. Maybe he’s racing to a fire.

As we pay attention, we see that there is a space between each stimulus (“the jerk”) and our CHOSEN response (“let it go”). Over time, we notice that some responses ADD to our happiness while others create unnecessary suffering. We learn to focus on thoughts that bring us happiness and inner peace.

And all the process requires at the start is that we Pay Attention. Namaste. _/!\_

Yup. Our minds are like monkeys . . . swinging from thought to thought . . . getting agitated over the slightest provocation . . . easily distracted by the next banana and the next and the next.

Becoming more mindful is like giving a room full of overactive toddlers attention ONLY when they are engaged in “productive” behavior . . . while ignoring the temper tantrums that toddlers are prone to throw while in the throes of the terrible twos.

But who can do this in today’s demanding world? We are all so focused on what we must do and there is no time to focus on the spiritual side. Hey, but if people can do it I suppose they will live a lot longer. Have to go now. Florida pension check arrives last week day of month and I have 927 errands to run.

Awesome! It’s a wonderful introduction or refresher course in the basics of ZEN Living.

I remember the first time I realized that “I” could watch “ME” interacting with a “difficult person” from a “safe distance.” Because I stepped into the role of observer, I no longer felt the need to defend myself from the unwarranted verbal attack. I listened, nodded, and thanked them for sharing their opinion with me. We parted “amicably” because SHE felt she’d really been heard . . . and I didn’t have “a mark on me.” 😉

Nancy, You are an amazing writer, so very clear. I learn a lot from you, so THANK YOU. Even if I know about mindful living, reading more about it is never a waste. I am getting this book from the library. 🙂 Sharing in Facebook!

Thanks, Marie! I expect that you will enjoy the book. I only skimmed over one section that didn’t apply to me (being a parent). The rest had great tips for being in the world without getting sucked into the daily dramas swirling around us.

Thanks, Andra. Glad it resonated. We shopped today for some yummy New Year’s Eve treats PLUS got black-eyed peas and greens to eat on New Year’s Day . . . I’m going to make Hoppin’John, greens, and cornbread to ensure LUCK in the coming year. 😉

That’s what I think. My post tomorrow about my “resolutions” focuses on just that characteristic. The more mindful and conscious we are, the easier it is to make the “right” choices . . . on a moment by moment basis.

oh well said! I make myself stop sometimes, when doing the most inane thing, like putting a new roll of paper towels on the holder – I stop and think about the person who made the holder, the richness of its colours, the softness of the paper towels. Just to stop and be mindful of what I am doing right at that moment. It’s a good exercise for me as it keeps me conscious of being conscious! heh heh.

I use different “alarm clocks” throughout the day to remind me to wake up and be aware . . . the feel of the floor tile on the soles of my feet, the sound of running water, seeing a bird fly by my office window, turning a door knob, flipping a light switch, etc.

When I stop to NOTICE the moment, I’m often surprised to find that I’ve been miles away . . . lost in thought.